🌱 Downtown Orlando Bars Fight Proposed Restrictions + Rent Climbing

Hey, friends. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Today's issue includes updates on...

• Downtown Orlando bar owners are fighting proposals to restrict their businesses by local elected officials.
• The Orlando Magic beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-110 on Friday night.
• Orlando International Airport is looking for another on-site hotels.

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with afternoon showers. High: 66 Low: 59.

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Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. Downtown Orlando businesses are crying foul as local elected officials aim to curb open hours for bars in the area and place new restrictions on small business owners, who only recently emerged from the pandemic. A proposal receiving major pushback is a new proposal to require permits for businesses serving alcohol after midnight. Business owners said they could lose millions of dollars in the process and be forced out of business. The proposals come amid complaints from new residents who have moved into the busy nightlife district. (WESH)
2. The Orlando Magic beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-110 on Friday night. The Magic shot 52 percent overall and made 15 out of 30 attempts from 3-point range. Orlando will play at Washington tonight. (Fox 35 Orlando)
3. City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer led a session Friday at the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., about the importance of responding to mass shootings as a city. Orlando is no stranger to mass shootings with the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre still fresh on the minds of the community. (Spectrum News 13)
4. The average rent in Orange County has gone up 70 percent over the past 10 years. It’s now $1,803 a month. Orlando now has the third-toughest rental market in America and average of 21 people competing for every vacant unit. (Subscription: Orlando Sentinel)
5. The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is looking for another on-site hotel. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority has approved a request for proposals for hotel development consulting services, according to documents. (WFTV)

Today in Orlando:

• EPCOT Festival of the Arts. (all day)
• Grand Re-Opening! Fantasy V: 5 Year Anniversary Party at Ellipsis Brewing. (1 p.m.)
• "Henry V" at Orlando Shakes. (2 p.m.)
• Wantilan Luau at Loews Royal Pacific Resort - Universal Orlando. (6 p.m.)
• Milk Comedy Saturdays at Barley & Vine Biergarten. (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orlando Weekly shared: "In some not so egg-citing economic news, Instacart has ranked Florida as the second-most expensive state to purchase a dozen eggs. According to Instacart's customer purchase data, the average cost for a dozen eggs in Florida comes in at roughly $6.36. The last year has seen a 57 percent price increase for eggs in the state." (Orlando Weekly via Instagram)
• Orlando Fire Department shared: "In an example of the Orlando Fire Department’s resiliency after enduring a pandemic, a pandemic re-surge, and 2 hurricanes, we gathered on Jan. 18 to celebrate the professional promotions of our personnel." (Orlando Fire Department via Facebook)
• Audubon Park Garden District shared: "Save the dates of Feb. 11 and 12 for our first ever Local Love Weekend." (Audubon Park Garden District via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Riverside Woods shared: "Four Black bears in my backyard last night. - Ripped through the screen to get on my screened porch, then tried to get into the house. No food or garbage there, they were just exploring." (Nextdoor)

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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com